Oil Filter.....Really?????
 

I went to the auto parts store today to pick up a couple of oil filters, one for my F150 FX4 and the other for my 2013 Z's first oil change after reaching the break in threshold.

I looked up the number for the Z's filter in the reference book and then found it on the shelf. My first thought was...WTF! Are you kidding? I could not believe the filter for the Z was so small. The Z is the 15th vehicle I have owned and the Z filter is half the size of the smallest filter any of the other vehicles has used. Just to make sure I was looking at the right filter, I looked up a couple of other brands in the reference guide and they were all small. The filter on my 16 HP single cylinder Briggs engine on my riding mower is larger than the filter for the Z!

A larger filter has to filter out more dirt than such a tiny one. Have to wonder why the Z engine was engineered to use such a small filter.

I don't remember the part number but people put bigger ones on the Gs. I personally run what they came with as I get my changes done at the dealership for another 2 years and 2 months.

On the recommendation of some others here, I use a Purolator PureOne PL14610 on my Z (and same filter on my Altima). It is almost an inch longer than the recommended filter, but fits just fine.

whatever. its a filter.

Thanks, I'll check out the Purolator PureOne filter. I have used those filters before. They are a quality filter.

Welcome to today's modern filters. It's not like penis size, these days. Size does not matter. It's what's inside that counts.:tiphat:

It seems that if two filters are different sizes and the internal parts of the filter were the same, the larger of the two would filter better.

The two filters I bought were both Mobil 1 filters. The one for my truck with a 5.4L V-8 was at least 2x if not 3x as big as the one for the Z. I'm not going to stress over it, I was just surprised at how small the Z filter is.

nope. the filter element is made out of the same paper. you get more volume. not filtration.

lol.you think thats small ? did ya know we have a 15mm 1 row radiator ? :bowrofl:

True, but a larger filter has more surface area of paper, so after being on the car the same amount of time, it would be less clogged than a tiny filter and flow oil better.

:bowrofl: :roflpuke2: :inoutroflpuke: :rofl2::icon18:

Are you feeling not confident in your filter size. It's not about size, it's how you use it.

That's just what chicks say to guys with really small filters.

My filter is bigger then yours.
http://img.china.alibaba.com/img/iba..._102177663.jpg

:icon18:

I swear...people get peeved over the dumbest things.

I'm pissed over the smaller size of newer cell phones. They obviously can't work as well as the older, larger cell phones of the '90's.:shakes head:

i'm pissed i can afford a 370z... lol

Depends on how you define "better." ;)

Everything else being equal, a larger filter will filter more oil before clogging up, but it will not filter the oil any better until that point. If you change your oil and filter at recommended intervals, clogging a smaller, factory spec filter shouldn't be an issue.

If you like to extend change intervals, a larger filter might help. Just make sure the filtration level and bypass pressure are the same. And you may need to add a little extra oil to the crankcase.

I'm pissed that your comment shows I get pissed over stupid crap. Now I'm pissed I wrote this. Great...now I'm pissed for admitting it. ;)

Throw an oil filter magnet on the outside of your filter if you want to increase filtering of metal particles. More than doubles the efficiency of our tiny filters.

I was surprised when I saw the size of the stock filters as well. Luckily, from my motorcycle days I had a few Purolator Pure One's PL14612's and Mobil1 M-108's left over. Couldn't believe my luck when they were the exact stock numbers as the Z.:happydance: Yes, they are small, but no way in hell am I going to give Nissan an excuse to void a potential warranty problem by using a filter that isn't on the list.

Finally, someone else with an engineering degree? Pressure is the answer. The lube system of your engine is designed to specific pressure drop values. A ton of engineering goes into the flow characteristics of the rifles, feed hole diameters, filter head, and filter. It's called fluid dynamics. Use the filter specified for good reason and stop guessing.

i bought the GTR Mobil one extended performance filter. its exactly the same just a tad longer.

Nope, no degree, but plenty of on-job experience with pressurized lubrication systems, DeltaP vs. flow, C-sub-v, &c, &c, &c - all sorts of stuff pertaining to lubrication and process control.

Yes, as I said in my first paragraph, the best way is (usually) the way the engineers designed it. My recommendation was to use an OEM-spec filter.

As for the paragraph about longer filters: Not so much a guess as an assessment of remarks on this forum and others about running longer filters on VQ engines - no problems reported so far (other than the fact that there's not enough room for a much longer filter). Nor do I remember reading/hearing anything about a longer filter causing problems in any automotive engine in the last 40 years or so (other than mechanical, such as rubbing). But my memory ain't what it used to be.

I use a Bosch that I don't think is cross referenced with my Stillen oil filter sandwich plate... I found it in Walmart just by looking at the base which says 22mm (our size) and matching it with the largest filter that will fit on the plate... No issues with it at all.... I'll update with the model once I find the box or picture of the box on my phone